Science and Engineering
Profession Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded
Science and Engineering to the Scottish
Economy now and in the future
Queens Hotel, Perth
Thursday 27th November 2014
Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
Introduction
The Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference presents an opportunity
for Science and Engineering Professionals working within the Scottish Government
and for the first time this year from Scottish Major Research Providers (MRPs) to
participate in an event specifically aimed at: informing them about what their
colleagues in other areas are working on, encouraging networking, and providing a
platform to deliver a talk to their fellow officials. It also allows the attendees to hear
from Professor Muffy Calder, Chief Scientific Adviser and head of profession, and in
turn allows Professor Calder to publicise the work of the Science and Engineering
Profession (SEP) Board over the previous 12 months.
This year's conference theme will be “The contribution of publicly funded Science
and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future”.
Pr Muffy Calder will set the scene and the context of the Science and Engineering
2014 conference which aims to promote within the SG and Major Research
Providers (MRPs) in Scotland a greater knowledge of the remit and recent
achievements of these institutions and promote further networking possibilities
between all scientists and engineers through current development programs.
Sir Peter Housden (Keynote speaker) will give a 20 min talk on the Theme “Linking
for delivery: Maximising interactions between Science-Policy-Business for a better
Society”.
The conference will be split into two separate sessions - one on the theme “Building
interactions: Linking for delivery: Maximising interactions between SciencePolicy-Business for a better Society” and “The future of Science in Scotland:
current and emerging challenges”. At the beginning of each session a “2 minute
wonder” series of short “fast-paced” talks will present the broad spectrum of research
and delivery of SG/MRPs institutions. A representative from several MRPs/SG
institutions (PhD student, early career scientist, principle investigator,…) will give a
very focussed overview of their work. The audience will vote for best presentation.
Both sessions will be followed by a Questions & Suggestions Time debate where
Panel Members will discuss selected questions from the audience.
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
Both sessions will include a Questions & Suggestions Time debate where Panel
Members will discuss selected questions from the audience. Suggestions have been
submitted by the delegates during registration and a compilation of the key questions
raised will be presented. Each Panel member will then animate a discussion with the
“primed” audience on “Linking Science-Policy-Business-Society for delivery” (session
1) and “Science in Scotland/UK/EU: horizon scanning of current and future
challenges in a changing environment”” (session 2). The aim is to generate
discussion as well as give feedback to the panel.
There will be also be information and displays from SG and MRPs. The conference
will take place at The Queens Hotel (Balmoral suite), Perth, with registration
from 10.00am.
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
Science and Engineering Profession Conference 27th November 2014
Scottish Government Science and Engineering Conference
27th November 2014
Queens Hotel, Perth
10:00
10:30
10:30
10:55
10:55
11:10
11:10
11:35
11:40
12:00
12:55
13:00
13:45
13:45
14:05
14:05
14:25
15:20
15:30
15:30
Registration & Coffee
Prof Muffy Calder, Chief Scientific Advisor, Scottish Government.
Welcome, domestics, Conference aims
“2 Minute Wonders” competition – Part 1
Two minute talks by eight scientists
Tea & Coffee
Session 1: Building Interactions
Keynote Speaker: Sir Peter Housden, Permanent Secretary, Scottish Government.
Linking for delivering: Maximising interactions between Science-Policy-Business for a better
Society
Question/Suggestion Time Debate!
Facilitator: Kenneth Macdonald - BBC
Introduction of each Panel Member followed by an opportunity to ask questions.
Scottish Government
Prof Gerry Saddler from SASA (Scottish Government)
Sam Anson from Marine Scotland (Scottish Government)
Dr Paul de Sousa from Roslin Cells/ Edinburgh University
Liam Kelly from RESAS (Scottish Government)
Wrap up – Kenneth Macdonald Take home messages - Part 1
Lunch
“2 Minute Wonders” competition – Part 2
Two minute talks by seven scientists - Voting
Session 2: Future of Science
Keynote speaker: Prof Paul Hagan (Scottish Funding Council)
Future of Science in Scotland/UK/EU: horizon scanning of current and future challenges in a
changing environment
Question/Suggestion Time Debate!
Facilitator: Kenneth Macdonald - BBC
Introduction of each Panel Member followed by opportunity to ask questions.
Panel:
Dr Julia Brown from Scottish Enterprise
Prof Colin Campell from the James Hutton Institute
Dr John Kerr from SASA (Scottish Government)
Dr Garry Entrican from Moredun
Wrap up – Dr Kevin O’Donnell (SASA)
Results of “2 minute Wonders” competition and award
Tea & Coffee
Close
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
Biographies
Professor Muffy Calder, OBE, FREng, FRSE - Chief Scientific Adviser for
Scotland
Professor Muffy Calder is the second Chief Scientific Adviser for
Scotland. She undertook the post on 1st March 2012.
Professor Calder comes to the Scottish Government from the
University of Glasgow where she will continue to hold chair of
Professor of Formal Methods (Computing Science).
Her research is in modelling and reasoning about the behaviour
of complex software and biochemical systems using computer
science, mathematics and automated reasoning techniques. In
2011 Professor Calder was awarded an OBE for services to
Computer Science and a Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award.
Professor Calder also played a key role in establishing the BCS Academy of
Computing as a partnership between UKCRC, CPHC and BCS.
Professor Paul Hagan, Director of Research and Innovation at the Scottish
Funding Council
Professor Paul Hagan was formerly Dean of the Faculty of
Biomedical and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow. He is
an Honorary Member of the British Society for Parasitology and
Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Paul completed his BSc
and his PhD at the University of Glasgow, and from 1981 spent
several years at the Medical Research Council Laboratories in
The Gambia, West Africa, where he worked on the immunology
and epidemiology of human schistosomiasis. He continued his
research at the National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, returning to
Glasgow in 1991. Between 1995 and 1998 he served as a DFID-sponsored
Detached National Expert at the European Commission in Brussels, managing the
parasitology research component of the International Cooperation (INCO-DC)
programme. He has served as the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the
European Malaria Vaccine Initiative and is an advisor to the World Health
Organization on General Parasitology. He advises the Task Force for Global Health
on Neglected Tropical Diseases and the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational
Research and Evaluation (SCORE) both funded through the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation.
In December we will have the results of the Research Excellence Framework 2014
that will give us some idea of how our research and its impacts stack up against the
competition from across the UK. This information will give as a valuable sense check
that we can use to challenge our own perception of our strengths. While we wait for
that information to be released, there is an opportunity to reflect on the changes that
have been implemented in science and research in Scotland over the last few years
and to consider what the challenges will be in the coming years? What other
changes might we make to ensure that we remain competitive? Funding for research,
for training and for science infrastructure is likely to be under severe pressure, but
that situation is not a new one, for Scotland or for the rest of the UK. If we are
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
serious about being among the best we need to build on our past successes, sustain
what is excellent and exploit opportunities for the future. How best can we do this?
Sir Peter Housden, Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government
Sir Peter Housden was appointed as Permanent Secretary to
the Scottish G overnment in June 2010. In this role, Sir Peter is
the principal policy adviser to the First Minister and Secretary to
the Cabinet. He is also the Principal Accountable Officer for the
Scottish Government with personal responsibility for the
propriety and regularity of Government finance and for economic,
efficient and effective use of all related resources.
Sir Peter served from 2005-2010 as Permanent Secretary at the
Department for Communities and Local Government in Whitehall
and had earlier worked at the Department for Education and
Skills where from 2001-2005 he was Director-General for
Schools, responsible for primary and secondary education in
England's 27,000 schools.
Sir Peter entered public service as a secondary school teacher in Shropshire and
served as an education officer in three large local authorities before being appointed
as Director of Education in Nottinghamshire in 1991. He was appointed as the
Council's Chief Executive in 1994, and in September 2000 was seconded to the
Audit Commission for six months to lead its work on the NHS national plan.
Kenneth Macdonald, BBC Scotland
Ken
Macdonald
is
BBC
Scotland’s
science
correspondent. He also goes by the handle of special
correspondent, a job title traditionally given to journalists
whom BBC management have given up trying to
pigeonhole. Since then his BBC postings have taken him
all over Scotland, Europe and further afield. Among his
interviewees have been Professor Peter Higgs, Tony Blair,
John Glenn, the Dalai Lama and Dolly the Sheep. He has
covered four United States presidential elections including
the 2000 Gore-Bush cliffhanger.
Ken considers himself to be an escaped lawyer. After attending Langcraigs Primary
and Paisley Grammar schools he graduated with an LLB from Glasgow
University. Fortunately for Scotland’s legal system he never actually joined the
profession; instead he decided to try journalism for a while to see if he was any good
at it. More than thirty years later he still thinks it’s too early to tell.
Dr Kevin O’Donnell, Head of SASA
Dr Kevin O’Donnell is currently on temporary promotion to Head
of SASA, having previously been part of its Senior Management
team as Head of the Rural Scientific Services and Potato &
Plant Health divisions. Following a PhD on bacterial plasmids at
the University of Bangor, he spent 6 years in the R&D
Department of Mars Confectionery before joining SASA as head
of the new Diagnostics and Molecular Biology section, a move
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
he still describes as “one of the most sensible things I’ve ever done.” Dr O’Donnell
chairs the Science and Agriculture Services Committee, concerned with coordinating
the Scottish Government’s work in that area. He has a particular interest in the links
between science and policy, pioneering the ‘plant health model’ which is held as an
example of best practice for science/policy interaction.
Session 1: Building Interactions - Panellists
Sam Anson, Head of Marine Analytical Unit, MSS
Sam has a MA (Hons) Economics from The University of Edinburgh
and a MSc in Economic Management Policy from Strathclyde
University. He has worked within the Government Economic
Service for 10 years, and has been the Head of the Marine
Analytical Unit (MAU) within Marine Scotland Science since 2010.
The remit of the MAU is to provide the economic and statistical
evidence base to support Marine Scotland in its mission to manage
Scotland's seas for prosperity and environmental sustainability. It is
in a relatively unique position of working across the full breadth of
Marine Scotland policy, covering areas such as: offshore renewables; marine spatial
planning; marine conservation; sea fisheries; aquaculture; and freshwater fisheries.
Marine Scotland Science plays an important part in supporting the Scottish
Government's vision of marine and coastal environments which are clean, healthy,
safe, productive and biologically diverse, managed to meet the long-term needs of
nature and people. This presentation will highlight three examples where science
has made a significant contribution to societal welfare via Scottish Government
policy. The growth of the aquaculture industry in recent years has been critically
dependent upon scientific studies into a range of viral, bacterial and parasitic
disease, the epidemiology of the major fish diseases and sea lice, and the
understanding of the basis for management of disease prevention, controls and
eradication. The industry now generates £800m in revenue in Scotland and over
4,800 jobs throughout the supply chain. Fishing and fish processing contribute
approximately £480m of GVA to the Scottish economy, frequently in vulnerable
coastal communities. The sustainability of the fleet continues to be supported by
trials into selective fishing gears to reduce the capture of unwanted fish. The
Scottish Government is committed to building a globally competitive offshore
renewables industry to take forward the transition to a low carbon economy. This
development is underpinned by a broad spectrum of science and evidence.
Dr Paul De Sousa, PhD MSc, Reader, School of Clinical Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Roslin Cells Ltd.
Dr De Sousa joined the University of Edinburgh in 2005
after seven years at the Roslin Institute as a Group
Leader. At that time he co-founded Roslin Cells Ltd, a
not-for-profit company serving to translate stem cell
research into quality assured Good Manufacturing
Practice to enable stem cell based therapies. His
university laboratory is concerned with basic and
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
applied aspects of human pluripotent stem cells as can be obtained from early
embryos or induced in adult tissue derived cells by genetic manipulation. He is
seconded from the University to serve as Roslin Cells Chief Scientific Officer. Dr De
Sousa is on the scientific advisory board of UK government and academic
institutions, notably the UK Department of Health Advisory Committee for Safety of
Blood Tissues and Organs. He is also an Executive director of Roslin Cellab Ltd – a
human pluripotent stem cell contract research & development company spun out
from Roslin Cells. His research has been funded by UK, Scottish and European
research councils, charities and enterprise agencies in programmes that he has coordinated, led or co-investigated.
Professor Gerry Saddler, Head of Potato and Plant Health Division, SASA
After a degree (Edinburgh) and PhD (Newcastle upon Tyne),
and a short stint in pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland and
Italy, Gerry joined the International Mycological Institute (now
CABI), where he worked mainly on the bacterial potato brown rot
pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum. He subsequently moved to
SASA and his home town, Edinburgh. Alongside collaborators at
Fera, JHI and SRUC, he and his colleagues at SASA have
worked on variety of Scottish Government and Potato Councilfunded projects on brown rot, ring rot, Dickeya spp. and more
recently on blackleg affecting high grade potato seed crops. He’s
a guest lecturer in Plant Sciences at Heriot Watt University, where he has an
honorary professorship, and is currently Deputy Head of SASA and Head of its
Potato and Plant Health Division.
In his talk he will give a brief overview of the work of SASA and provide examples of
collaborative work which has delivered positive benefits for Scotland’s rural economy.
Session 2: Future of Science - Panellists
Julia Brown, Sector Portfolio Director, Life & Chemical Sciences, Scottish
Enterprise
Julia is responsible for setting and delivering Scottish
Enterprise's Life & Chemical Sciences strategies to support the
economic growth and development of both sectors in Scotland.
Following a career in managing compounds through non clinical
and clinical development for a range of biopharmaceutical
companies (including Syntex; Roche and PPL Therapeutics), she
co-founded a clinical research organisation in Scotland (Pleiad)
which supported medical technology companies via operations in
the US and Europe. In her role as Director of Programmes for
ITI Scotland, she was responsible for commissioning and
directing a wide range of research programmes with academic and commercial
groups. Julia is interested in supporting the successful commercialisation of
Scotland’s research base and has been a Director of the Genomia Fund and is
currently a member of the Board of Directors of the James Hutton Institute and
Mylnefield Research Services.
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
Julia will provide information on Scottish Enterprise’s Remit and also examples of
activities in Life and Chemical sciences.
Professor Colin Campbell, Director of Science Excellence, James Hutton
Institute
Professor Campbell has been in his current post since June
2011 and oversees the long term development of the institute’s
scientists, scientific collections, facilities and research platforms.
He is Director of the institute’s Post-Graduate School which has
over 130 students, registered at 38 different universities from
around the world. He serves on the Scientific Advisory
Committee of SNH and on the Board of CECHR, a joint initiative
with the University of Dundee, studying environmental change
and human resilience. He is also on the steering groups for the
SG SEWEB project, a single web portal for Scotland’s environmental data, and the
Land Atlas project. He is a visiting professor at the Swedish Agricultural Sciences
University in Uppsala. He served on the RSE Commission of Inquiry "Facing up to
Climate Change" and was a contributing author to the UK National Ecosystem
Assessment and has acted as an expert advisor in several EU and UK Government
workshops addressing issues of the sustainable use of soils. His own research is on
how microorganisms contribute to the functioning of managed and natural
ecosystems and he is co-inventor on two patents for high throughput physiological
and molecular fingerprinting methods.
The James Hutton Institute recognises that the biggest challenges facing the world in
the next 5-10 years are complex and require many diverse science disciplines
working together in partnership with the people who own the problems. We need
conceptual as well as technological breakthroughs across the food, water and
energy security nexus. Significant technological breakthroughs are here or are
imminent and the convergence of different approaches e.g. plant biotechnology with
knowledge and understanding of the viral and microbial biomes are hugely exciting.
We are highly competitive when given a fair opportunity and we have proven we do
excellent science with impact. The global challenges are daunting but motivate us
fully. We will need more pooling of resources and partnerships. There are several
technological; cultural and social challenges to realising this potential which will
entail doing science differently and embracing science from outside the conventional
providers.
Professor Gary Entrican, BSc PhD - Moredun Research Institute
Professor Gary Entrican is a Principal Research Scientist at
Moredun Research Institute, where he has worked for over 25
years. His research is primarily focussed on immunity to endemic
bacterial diseases that affect the health and welfare of sheep and
cattle, identifying protective responses that underpin the design of
new vaccines. He has developed a number of tools and
technologies for veterinary immunology, several of which have led
to commercial products. In addition to his research, he is the
Diversity Champion for Moredun, promoting the values of
diversity and dignity at work. In 2013 he was elected Chair of The
Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC) of the International Union of Immunological
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
Societies (IUIS) and in 2014 he was appointed to the Steering Group of the BBSRC
UK Veterinary Vaccinology Network. He has sat on a number of funding panels
within the UK (BBSRC) and EU (ANIHWA). He has strong links with the University of
Edinburgh and University of Glasgow, holding Honorary Professorships at both.
Science with impact is at the top of the research agenda. Impact can take many
forms (new knowledge, new products, changes in behaviour), we need to deliver and
maximise our impact with realistic expectations based on our resources to ensure
value for money. Food safety and food security are challenges for the growing global
population, with infectious diseases negatively impacting on both. Improvements in
disease surveillance and the ability to genetically identify (and potentially modify) key
characteristics of both pathogen and host present great opportunities for disease
control in the future. These not only present challenges in terms of public acceptance,
but there are also challenges as to how we manage and interpret the increasingly
complex biological data sets that we are able to generate from rapidly advancing
technologies.
Dr John Kerr, Head of Seeds Varieties and Pesticides, SASA
John joined SASA in 2000 as a pesticide usage surveyor and
went on to work within the GM inspectorate during the period
of the Farm Scale GM evaluation trials in Scotland. He then
worked in Potato section, from 2004 to 2014 and now leads
one of SASA’s two scientific Divisions. John also acts in a
representational role for the UK in international promotion and
standard setting. In particular John is the UK representative
and chairman of the UNECE Specialized Section on seed
potatoes. In this forum countries with an interest in the
international trade come together to set a common trading language based around a
standard with agreed quality levels and a guiding set of principles for the practical
use of these standards within a seed certification programme. John is passionate in
promoting this approach to both trade and collegiate knowledge exchange in order
that producers wherever they are in the world can focus on the type production that
suits them and that the officials involved have a supporting network to draw upon in
setting regulatory standards.
John will discuss the human aspects of the future of Science and whether we are
properly joined-up and engaged to meet the challenges of the future.
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
2 Minute Wonders
Session 1:
Francis Neat: I am primarily a field research scientist and work in two main areas;
deepwater fisheries ecology and the migration patterns and
population structure of fish. I co-ordinate a programme of deepwater research including research vessel surveys. I am
interested in deep-water fish diversity and distribution patterns
and the effects of fisheries on deep-water fish and habitats such
as cold-water coral reefs and sponges. My fish migration work is
based mainly on the use of electronic tagging technologies of
wild fish including cod, common skate and blue-fin tuna, and
aims to understand spatial and temporal variation in distribution.
Laura Doull: Laura Doull completed her undergraduate BSc (Hons) Medical
sciences at the University of Edinburgh where she developed an
interest in immunology. Currently a final year BBSRC CASE PhD
student she is based between the Moredun Research Institute and
the Roslin institute with Zoetis animal health collaborators. Laura’s
PhD is aimed at understanding mechanisms of innate immune
recognition of Chlamydia infection in sheep and cattle. The project
outputs will enhance our understanding of host-pathogen interactions
and suggest new targets for the induction of protective immune
response through vaccination.
Dr Julie Graham: Julie Graham leads the raspberry and blueberry molecular
research at James Hutton Institute. The ultimate aim of much of her
research is develop knowledge of how phenotype is controlled by
genotype and the environment and to develop molecular breeding
of sustainable high quality resistant soft fruit varieties. The
identification of links between genotype and phenotype, and the
subsequent identification of molecular markers for deployment in a
breeding context is essential so that efficiency of selection and
ultimately time to cultivar release can be improved and accelerated
beyond current timescales.
Dr Wendy Russell: Dr Wendy Russell is a principal investigator in Natural Products
at the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health (University of
Aberdeen), researching the complex interplay between diet and
health. With a BSc in Chemistry and PhD in Natural Product
Chemistry (University of Bristol), Wendy has specialised in
phytochemical analysis, metabolism, bio-availability and bio-activity.
Current research focuses on improving the Scottish diet. This
involves understanding the availability of dietary components from
the food matrix, how these are absorbed and transformed in the
body and the overall impact on human health. This work has
involved running several human dietary interventions including
macronutrient modulation, weight loss studies, animal vs. plant protein and the effect
of plant-based diets containing important Scottish crops. Wendy has a key interest in
how nutrition impacts on the prevention and management of lifestyle-related
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
diseases (cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes) and chairs
International Life Sciences Institute expert groups exploring ‘nutritional management
of blood glucose’ and ‘efficacy of dietary intervention in metabolic syndrome’. Wendy
also plays an active role in developing healthy and sustainable food for the Scottish
Food and Drink Industry and is working with agricultural and environmental
scientists, health professionals, policy makers, as well as food growers, producers
and processors to achieve this objective.
Dr Sarah Hughes: Sarah has worked as a physical oceanographer at the Marine
Laboratory in Aberdeen for the last 15 years. Sarah’s main
interest is climate change and climate variability in the
oceans and seas around Scotland. Sarah studied
Oceanography with Physics at Southampton University and
was recently awarded a PhD for her research on the ocean
currents around the east if Shetland. She has worked as a
physical oceanographer for the whole of her career. The
early part of her career, while working for a commercial
oceanographic company, involved a lot of fieldwork and took
her to far flung places such as the Falkland Islands, Yemen
and Singapore. At Marine Scotland the fieldwork happens in the coastal waters of
Scotland and the further afield into the North Sea and the Faroe Shetland Channel
on the research vessel Scotia.
Jackie Hughes: I joined SASA in 2006 as a Pesticides Adviser and provide advice
and data on pesticide use and approval to SG policy and a range
of other stakeholders. I also manage the pesticide survey team
which collects data on Scottish agricultural pesticide use. Before
joining the Scottish Government I worked in a contract science
laboratory coordinating European pesticide residue and efficacy
studies. Earlier in my career I worked as both a university
research entomologist and as a terrestrial ecotoxicologist in a
commercial science laboratory.
Mokshda Bheem Singh: Mokshda Bheem Singh is a civil engineer for Transport
Scotland. Since joining Transport Scotland’s graduate training
scheme in 2010, she has gained experience in various aspects of
engineering and project related work, especially on the Queensferry
Crossing project where she has been involved from preparation and
procurement, through to construction. As a member of the
Employer’s Delivery Team on site, she is currently monitoring the
construction of the Queensferry Crossing superstructure.
Jenny Hindson: Jenny has worked as an oceanographer at the Marine Lab in
Aberdeen for the past 4 years. Jenny’s main areas of work are
with the long-term monitoring programmes run by Marine Scotland
Science, both at coastal sites and further offshore, and research in
sea lochs related to aquaculture issues. After graduating with an
MSc in Applied Physical Oceanography Jenny spent one year
working for a commercial met-ocean company before joining the
Marine Lab in 2010. Her current position gives her opportunities
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
for fieldwork, on board the research vessel Scotia to the Faroe-Shetland Channel, as
well as to inshore areas around the coast of Scotland.
Session 2:
Kim Davie – Policy Officer, Animal Health and Welfare: Kim is a policy officer in
animal health and welfare and works predominantly on the bovine viral
diarrhoea eradication scheme. She comes from a science background,
has a BSc in Zoology an MSc in Wildlife Biology and Conservation and
a PhD on the Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Potato Virus Y in
Scotland. Kim was at SASA for 12 years prior to working in policy.
Guillaume Hermann – Analytical Chemist Researcher: For the last 8 years I have
been working for the Scottish Government at Marine Scotland
Science (Aberdeen). I am involved in research on marine biotoxins
that are produced by some species of phytoplankton. This work is
to support the Scottish aquaculture industry and has led to me
participating in several European funded research projects. My
main field of expertise is the analysis of toxins using liquid
chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.
Dr Laura Bowden: Laura Bowden has worked as a seed physiologist for the Official
Seed Testing Station, SASA, since 2010. Laura has a PhD in seed
conservation from the University of Reading and the Millennium
Seed Bank Project, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and now works
on the physiology and quality of seeds of crop species, with a
particular interest in understanding the physiology of seed vigour.
She is a member of the International Seed Testing Association
Moisture Committee, and is on the editorial board for the
association’s journal Seed Science and Technology.
Ali Karley: The traits that allow plants and insects to perform optimally under
environmental constraints intrigue me, and form the focus of my
research in plant nitrogen physiology and the interactions between
plants, insect herbivores and their natural enemies. After reading
Natural Sciences at Cambridge, I studied for a DPhil in plant
membrane nutrient transport at the University of York and
Rothamsted. Subsequently, I applied my physiology training to
study plant-insect interactions at scales of the organism and
system. Postdoctoral research at York University on the nutritional
physiology of aphids led to my current post as a Research Leader in Plant-Insect
Interactions in the Agroecology group at the James Hutton Institute.
Dr Malcolm Hall: Works within the Aquaculture and Fish Health programme with
shared statistical consultancy responsibilities to other
researchers. Recent research involvement includes
estimating the prevalence of infection for an endemic
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
salmonid pathogen, the evaluation of diagnostic test reliabilities, and inferring the
cost-effectiveness of disease control strategies.
Samantha M K Donnellan: I hold a BSc (Hons) degree from the University of
Glasgow in Medical Biochemistry, a MSc from the
University of Edinburgh in Forensic Anthropology and I
am currently undertaking a PhD with the Moredun
Research Institute (Dr Stevenson) and Heriot Watt
University (Prof Stone). For my PhD I am researching a
new treatment for Tuberculosis and developing a
screening assay for testing potential new drug
candidates. I am originally from Plockton, a small village
in the Highlands of Scotland, but I have lived in
Edinburgh for the past four years.
Dr Carey Cunningham: Carey began her career in SG science as an A4-equivalent
technician in what is now Marine Scotland Science. This post gave
her experience in the laboratory, on fish farms, research vessels
and aquaria. Carey completed a degree with the OU, moved into
molecular biology and carried out a PhD. As leader of the
molecular genetics group in MSS, Carey with her colleagues
became involved in many projects that applied molecular
techniques to problems in fisheries and aquaculture, and became
world leaders in diagnosis and research of several important fish
pathogens.
Gathering more letters after her name, Carey
completed an MBA and joined the senior management team of MSS. Her
management responsibilities now include scientific support services including
engineering; ships operations; quality, data and information management; and she
has been involved in the SEP Diversity working group from the start.
Dr Nicola Holden: I am a molecular bacteriologist working on the interactions
between zoonotic pathogens and plant hosts. Zoonoses
often originate from farm animals, but within this group,
food-borne pathogens can also use plants as secondary
or intermediate hosts.
From here they can be
transmitted through the food chain and are associated
with outbreaks originating from fresh produce, in raw or
ready-to-eat fruit and vegetables. My research
investigates various aspects of the bacteria’s life cycle
on plant hosts, including adherence and metabolism, focusing on pathogenic
Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica.
I’ve been at the James Hutton Institute (formerly the Scottish Crop Research
Institute) for over seven years. My work ties in nicely with work on plant pathogenic
bacteria because the underlying biology is very similar, but also links to work done
by other MRPs and institutions, especially the Moredun Research Institute.
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
Organisational summary
Chief Scientist (Health)
The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) is responsible for encouraging and supporting
research to improve both the health of the people in Scotland and the services
provided by the NHS. It is also responsible for the R&D Strategy of the NHS in
Scotland, and supports Trusts and Health Boards in developing and implementing
their own strategies. The CSO:
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commissions work in specific priority areas
supports research initiated by the research community in Scotland
advises the Department on how research can contribute to improvements in
health and healthcare
supports a range of research training schemes
CSO works closely with other government departments, research councils and
charities, with the aim of facilitating the access of researchers in Scotland to
appropriate funding sources. CSO also funds proposals jointly with other bodies
where necessary and appropriate.
James Hutton Institute
The James Hutton Institute is an international research centre based in Scotland
working from two main sites in Aberdeen and Dundee. The work we do is at the top
of the global agenda tackling some of the world’s most challenging problems
including the impact of climate change and threats to food, water and energy security.
We are one of the SG’s Main Research Providers and as well contributing to the
RESAS Strategic Research Programme we also provide scientific advice and
analysis through Centres of Expertise e.g. on Climate Change (CxC) and Waters
(CREW) on a wide range of policy issues from reforms of CAP to new disease
threats.
We have world class laboratories with extensive analytical capabilities for waters,
soils, viruses, microbes, invertebrates and plants including genome and
metagenome analysis and an information and computational sciences group and
also one of the largest socio-economic capabilities in Europe. We have a wide range
of glasshouse, high health containment and controlled environment facilities and four
farms that house various long term experiments and research platforms for
addressing issues around sustainability and testing new crop and management
systems. We are also stewards of scientific collections including germplasm for the
Commonwealth Potato Collection, Rubes/Ribes and barley. Also we have pest and
pathogens collections and look after the National Soils Archive and National Soils
and Land Databases.
Our expertise, resources and capabilities are applied across six main themes:
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Delivering Sustainable Production Systems
Controlling Weeds, Pests and Diseases
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
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Enhancing Crop Productivity and Utilisation
Managing Catchments and Coasts
Nurturing Vibrant and Low Carbon Communities
Safeguarding Natural Capital
Marine Scotland Science
Marine Scotland Science's purpose is to provide the scientific basis to manage
Scotland's seas for prosperity and environmental sustainability. Marine Scotland
Science’s key responsibilities are:
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Working towards achieving good environmental status in the marine environment,
through providing scientific evidence to underpin our marine planning, licensing
and other functions, to help ensure a healthy and sustainable environment
Promoting sustainable, profitable and well managed fisheries and aquaculture
industries in Scotland
Ensuring sustainably managed freshwater fish and fisheries resources
Providing the science for sustainable economic growth from the marine
renewables industry and other marine and maritime industries through supporting
integrated planning and, where appropriate, streamlined regulatory frameworks
Ensuring a sound evidence base to inform the development and delivery of
marine policy, planning and services
Working locally to support individuals, businesses and communities make
sustainable choices in the marine environment which deliver economic
advantages for Scotland
Continuing to integrate our scientific activities with other functions and resources,
and to develop our organisational skills, competencies and capacity, to ensure
effective and efficient marine management arrangements in Scotland’s seas.
Moredun Research Institute
The mission of Moredun Research Institute (MRI) is to prevent and control infectious
diseases of livestock, working in partnership with the farming community. This
involves:
 A multi-disciplinary approach to the development of novel, sustainable control
strategies for Infectious viral, bacterial and parasitic endemic livestock
diseases of relevance to Scotland, UK, EU and worldwide.
 A specialised infrastructure comprising high specification laboratories, animal
accommodation, pathogen containment facilities (2 and 3), functional
genomics and unique pathogen collections to deliver the science.
 Disease surveillance activities using molecular and pathology diagnostics to
conduct source tracking, epidemiology to rapidly respond to disease
outbreaks.
 Protecting human and environmental health by reducing zoonotic infections in
livestock.
 Knowledge exchange with a variety of stakeholders including farmers,
veterinarians, government, policy makers and the public in the UK and
internationally.
 Undertaking education activities including roadshows, communication with
schools, undergraduate and postgraduate supervision and work placements.
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
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Inter-disciplinary collaboration with other institutes, universities and industry.
Collectively these activities allow us to deliver the strategies we develop to our
stakeholders to improve the efficiency of livestock production, improve animal
welfare and reduce waste.
Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser
The overall role of the CSA is to provide strong leadership on science in the Scottish
Government; to further enhance Scotland's reputation as a science nation; and to
provide independent advice on science issues and strategy to Ministers.
Objectives
 Champion science and ensure science is harnessed more effectively to
benefit Scotland's economy and quality of life
 Promote excellence in science and secure a stimulating and rewarding future
for Scotland in the global community
 Develop better engagement with science by society
 Ensure that scientific evidence informs government policy
Roslin Cells Ltd
Roslin Cells is a not-for-profit company whose stake holders include the University of
Edinburgh, Roslin Foundation, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and
Scottish Enterprise. It is an internationally recognised leader in the development and
manufacture of cell therapies. It specialises in supporting progression of stem and
derivative cell research to the clinic by providing full process development and
translational capabilities including early phase Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
manufacturing services for cellular therapies intended for clinical trials. This includes
human pluripotent stem cell derived red blood cells, skin cells (keratinocytes),
endothelial cells, and neurons for use in blood transfusion, skin ulceration and
peripheral limb ischaemia and neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntingtons
Disease. Roslin Cells also provides high quality research and GMP grade pluripotent
stem cells including an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming service.
Our products can act as a valuable tool in supporting clients’ drug discovery,
development and clinical research programmes.
Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services
RESAS provides specialist scientific and/or analytical services, mainly for the Rural
Affairs, Food and Environment portfolio, to Ministers and policy directorates. RESAS
provides a number of services including:
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Scientific advice on ecological, environmental and agricultural sciences,
combined with social, economic and statistical analysis;
Scientific research management of a c. £50 m p.a. investment in strategic
research;
Operation and analysis of the Scottish Agricultural Census; and
Sponsorship of Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture
Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) is a Division of the Rural
Payments and Inspections Directorate of the Scottish Government. Our primary role
is to provide scientific services and advice in support of Scotland’s agriculture and
wider environment. Our work helps to ensure the quality, safety and security of our
food supply in Scotland, and contributes to the quality of our environment. We
employ more than a hundred life scientists and analytical chemists, with expertise in
life science ranging from botany, plant pathology, zoology through to molecular
biology.
SASA occupies a world class laboratory, glasshouse and experimental farm facility
on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Although much of its work is in support of arable
agriculture it also provides services in food safety, wildlife management and crime
whilst providing specialist advice to Scottish Ministers.
The work of SASA biologists and chemists is aimed at:
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Ensuring the quality of seeds and tubers for planting, and new crop varieties;
Keeping field and horticultural crops free of damaging diseases;
Keeping serious pests of plants out of the UK and Scotland;
Acting as the Scottish Government's Inspectorate of genetically-modified
crops;
Developing new and more sensitive diagnostic tests for pests and diseases;
Preserving and maintaining a wide range of historic, heritage and other
varieties of potatoes, cereals, peas and brassicas;
Monitoring the pesticide load in our diet, and the pattern of use of pesticides in
Scotland;
Protecting wildlife against deliberate or accidental poisoning;
Understanding the ecology of important vertebrate species (e.g. rabbits,
foxes, geese).
SFC
The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (SFC) is the national,
strategic body that is responsible for funding teaching and learning provision,
research and other activities in Scotland's 25 colleges and 19 universities and higher
education institutions. We are more commonly known as 'the Scottish Funding
Council' or 'SFC'. Our statutory duty is to secure coherent, high quality further and
higher learning provision by colleges and universities in Scotland, and the
undertaking of research.
We do this by investing in the development of a coherent college and university
system which, through enhanced learning, research and knowledge exchange, leads
to improved economic, educational, social, civic and cultural outcomes for the people
of Scotland.
Our Funding contributes to the costs of teaching, research and other activities including costs related to staff, infrastructure, buildings and equipment.
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Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Conference 2014
The contribution of publicly funded Science and Engineering to the Scottish Economy now and in the future
Scottish Enterprise's Life & Chemical Sciences
The team has a strategic role in supporting the growth and development of the life
and chemical sciences sectors in Scotland and works in partnership with all key
stakeholders in the life and chemical sciences community to support the sectors’
aspirations for success. The teams are comprised of individuals with a wealth of
relevant knowledge and experience with team members having worked in both
industry and academia, both in the UK and internationally, across a range of
disciplines in life and chemical sciences.
Areas we work in are:
Scotland’s LS sector includes: human health (medicine, medical technology,
pharmaceuticals, health informatics/connected health), biology and biotechnology
(including industrial, marine, pharmaceutical, and agricultural biotechnology) and
animal health (veterinary, pharmaceuticals). LS have been identified as a key sector
with significant growth potential by the UK and Scottish Governments, as well as
many other countries. With over 650 organisations and 35,000 employees, Scotland
is one of the largest life science clusters in the UK.
Scotland’s CS sector comprises companies that convert raw materials (oil, natural
gas, air, water, metals, and minerals) into more than 70,000 different products. It
underpins many of Scotland’s industries to create new products, technologies and
processes. CS sector has been identified as a key growth sector by the UK
government for its manufacturing, technology development and underpinning
science sector. It is the highest export contributory sector at UK level. Business base
comprises three sub sectors: Basic Chemicals; Speciality Chemicals; and
Fine/Pharmaceutical Chemicals. The Scottish CS sector has more than 200
companies, employs 13,500 people directly and 70,000 through dependent services.
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